Slain by the valiant Diomede, with twelve
The noblest of his warriors at his side,
A thirteenth also, at small distance hence 665
We slew, by Hector and the Chiefs of Troy
Sent to inspect the posture of our host.
He said; then, high in exultation, drove
The coursers o’er the trench, and with him pass’d
The glad Achaians; at the spacious tent 670
Of Diomede arrived, with even thongs
They tied them at the cribs where stood the steeds
Of Tydeus’ son, with winnow’d wheat supplied.
257 Ulysses in his bark the gory spoils
Of Dolon placed, designing them a gift 675
To Pallas. Then, descending to the sea,
Neck, thighs, and legs from sweat profuse they cleansed,
And, so refresh’d and purified, their last
Ablution in bright tepid baths perform’d.
Each thus completely laved, and with smooth oil 680
Anointed, at the well-spread board they sat,
And quaff’d, in honor of Minerva, wine
Delicious, from the brimming beaker drawn.
The vividness of the scenes presented to us in this Book constitute its chief beauty. The reader sees the most natural night-scene in the world. He is led step by step with the adventurers, and made the companion of all their expectations and uncertainties. We see the very color of the sky; know the time to a minute; are impatient while the heroes are arming; our imagination follows them, knows all their doubts, and even the secret wishes of their hearts sent up to Minerva. We are alarmed at the approach of Dolon, hear his very footsteps, assist the two chiefs in pursuing him, and stop just with the spear that arrests him. We are perfectly acquainted with the situation of all the forces, with the figure in which they lie, with the disposition of Rhesus and the Thracians, with the posture of his chariot and horses. The marshy spot of ground where Dolon is killed, the tamarisk, or aquatic plant upon which they hung his spoils, and the reeds that are heaped together to mark the place, are circumstances the most picturesque imaginable.
ARGUMENT OF THE ELEVENTH BOOK.
Agamemnon distinguishes himself. He is wounded, and retires. Diomede is wounded by Paris; Ulysses by Socus. Ajax with Menelaus flies to the relief of Ulysses, and Eurypylus, soon after, to the relief of Ajax. While he is employed in assisting Ajax, he is shot in the thigh by Paris, who also wounds Machaon. Nestor conveys Machaon from the field. Achilles dispatches Patroclus to the tent of Nestor, and Nestor takes that occasion to exhort Patroclus to engage in battle, clothed in the armor of Achilles.
BOOK XI.
Aurora from Tithonus’ side arose
With light for heaven and earth, when Jove dispatch’d
Discord, the fiery signal in her hand
Of battle bearing, to the Grecian fleet.
High on Ulysses’ huge black ship she stood 5
The centre of the fleet, whence all might hear,
The tent of Telamon’s huge son between,
And of Achilles; for confiding they
In their heroic fortitude, their barks
Well-poised had station’d utmost of the line. 10
There standing, shrill she sent a cry abroad
Among the Achaians, such as thirst infused
Of battle ceaseless into every breast.
All deem’d, at once, war sweeter, than to seek
Their native country through the waves again. 15
Then with loud voice Atrides bade the Greeks
Gird on their armor, and himself his arms
Took radiant. First around his legs he clasp’d
His shining greaves with silver studs secured,
Then bound his corselet to his bosom, gift 20
Of Cynyras long since; for rumor loud
Had Cyprus reached of an Achaian host
Assembling, destined to the shores of Troy:
Wherefore, to gratify the King of men,
262 He made the splendid ornament his own. 25
Ten rods of steel cœrulean all around
Embraced it, twelve of gold, twenty of tin;
Six spiry serpents their uplifted heads
Cœrulean darted at the wearer’s throat,
Splendor diffusing as the various bow 30
Fix’d by Saturnian Jove in showery clouds,
A sign to mortal men. He slung his sword
Athwart his shoulders; dazzling bright it shone
With gold emboss’d, and silver was the sheath
Suspended graceful in a belt of gold. 35
His massy shield o’ershadowing him whole,
High-wrought and beautiful, he next assumed.
Ten circles bright of brass around its field
Extensive, circle within circle, ran;
The central boss was black, but hemm’d about 40
With twice ten bosses of resplendent tin.
There, dreadful ornament! the visage dark
Of Gorgon scowl’d, border’d by Flight and Fear.
The loop was silver, and a serpent form
Cœrulean over all its surface twined, 45
Three heads erecting on one neck, the heads
Together wreath’d into a stately crown.
His helmet quâtre-crested, and with studs
Fast riveted around he to his brows
Adjusted, whence tremendous waved his crest 50
Of mounted hair on high. Two spears he seized
263 Ponderous, brass-pointed, and that flash’d to heaven.
Sounds like clear thunder, by the spouse of Jove
And by Minerva raised to extol the King
Of opulent Mycenæ, roll’d around. 55
At once each bade his charioteer his steeds
Hold fast beside the margin of the trench
In orderly array; the foot all arm’d
Rush’d forward, and the clamor of the host
Rose infinite into the dawning skies. 60
First, at the trench, the embattled infantry
Stood ranged; the chariots follow’d close behind;
Dire was the tumult by Saturnian Jove
Excited, and from ether down he shed
Blood-tinctured dews among them, for he meant 65
That day to send full many a warrior bold
To Pluto’s dreary realm, slain premature.
Opposite, on the rising-ground, appear’d
The Trojans; them majestic Hector led,
Noble Polydamas, Æneas raised 70
To godlike honors in all Trojan hearts,
And Polybus, with whom Antenor’s sons
Agenor, and young Acamas advanced.
Hector the splendid orb of his broad shield
Bore in the van, and as a comet now 75
Glares through the clouds portentous, and again,
Obscured by gloomy vapors, disappears,
So Hector, marshalling his host, in front
Now shone, now vanish’d in the distant rear.
All-cased he flamed in brass, and on the sight 80
Flash’d as the lightnings of Jove Ægis-arm’d.
As reapers, toiling opposite, lay bare
Some rich man’s furrows, while the sever’d grain,
264 Barley or wheat, sinks as the sickle moves,
So Greeks and Trojans springing into fight 85
Slew mutual; foul retreat alike they scorn’d,
Alike in fierce hostility their heads
Both bore aloft, and rush’d like wolves to war.
Discord, spectatress terrible, that sight
Beheld exulting; she, of all the Gods, 90
Alone was present; not a Power beside
There interfered, but each his bright abode
Quiescent occupied wherever built
Among the windings of the Olympian heights;
Yet blamed they all the storm-assembler King 95
Saturnian, for his purposed aid
to Troy.
The eternal father reck’d not; he, apart,
Seated in solitary pomp, enjoy’d
His glory, and from on high the towers survey’d
Of Ilium and the fleet of Greece, the flash 100
Of gleaming arms, the slayer and the slain.
While morning lasted, and the light of day
Increased, so long the weapons on both sides
Flew in thick vollies, and the people fell.
But, what time his repast the woodman spreads 105
In some umbrageous vale, his sinewy arms
Wearied with hewing many a lofty tree,
And his wants satisfied, he feels at length
The pinch of appetite to pleasant food,
Then was it, that encouraging aloud 110
Each other, in their native virtue strong,
The Grecians through the phalanx burst of Troy.
Forth sprang the monarch first; he slew the Chief
Bianor, nor himself alone, but slew
Oïleus also driver of his steeds. 115
Oïleus, with a leap alighting, rush’d
On Agamemnon; he his fierce assault
Encountering, with a spear met full his front.
Nor could his helmet’s ponderous brass sustain
265 That force, but both his helmet and his skull 120
It shatter’d, and his martial rage repress’d.
The King of men, stripping their corselets, bared
Their shining breasts, and left them. Isus, next,
And Antiphus he flew to slay, the sons
Of Priam both, and in one chariot borne, 125
This spurious, genuine that. The bastard drove,
And Antiphus, a warrior high-renown’d,
Fought from the chariot; them Achilles erst
Feeding their flocks on Ida had surprised
And bound with osiers, but for ransom loosed. 130
Of these, imperial Agamemnon, first,
Above the pap pierced Isus; next, he smote
Antiphus with his sword beside the ear,
And from his chariot cast him to the ground.
Conscious of both, their glittering arms he stripp’d, 135
For he had seen them when from Ida’s heights
Achilles led them to the Grecian fleet.
As with resistless fangs the lion breaks
The young in pieces of the nimble hind,
Entering her lair, and takes their feeble lives; 140
She, though at hand, can yield them no defence,
But through the thick wood, wing’d with terror, starts
Herself away, trembling at such a foe;
So them the Trojans had no power to save,
Themselves all driven before the host of Greece. 145
Next, on Pisandrus, and of dauntless heart
Hippolochus he rush’d; they were the sons
Of brave Antimachus, who with rich gifts
By Paris bought, inflexible withheld
From Menelaus still his lovely bride. 150
His sons, the monarch, in one chariot borne
Encounter’d; they (for they had lost the reins)
With trepidation and united force
Essay’d to check the steeds; astonishment
Seized both; Atrides with a lion’s rage 155
Came on, and from the chariot thus they sued.
Oh spare us! son of Atreus, and accept
266 Ransom immense. Antimachus our sire
Is rich in various treasure, gold and brass,
And temper’d steel, and, hearing the report 160
That in Achaia’s fleet his sons survive,
He will requite thee with a glorious price.
So they, with tears and gentle terms the King
Accosted, but no gentle answer heard.
Are ye indeed the offspring of the Chief 165
Antimachus, who when my brother once
With godlike Laertiades your town
Enter’d ambassador, his death advised
In council, and to let him forth no more?
Now rue ye both the baseness of your sire. 170
He said, and from his chariot to the plain
Thrust down Pisandrus, piercing with keen lance
His bosom, and supine he smote the field.
Down leap’d Hippolochus, whom on the ground
He slew, cut sheer his hands, and lopp’d his head, 175
And roll’d it like a mortar through the ranks.
He left the slain, and where he saw the field
With thickest battle cover’d, thither flew
By all the Grecians follow’d bright in arms.
The scatter’d infantry constrained to fly, 180
Fell by the infantry; the charioteers,
While with loud hoofs their steeds the dusty soil
Excited, o’er the charioteers their wheels
Drove brazen-fellied, and the King of men
Incessant slaughtering, called his Argives on. 185
As when fierce flames some ancient forest seize,
From side to side in flakes the various wind
Rolls them, and to the roots devour’d, the trunks
Fall prostrate under fury of the fire,
So under Agamemnon fell the heads 190
Of flying Trojans. Many a courser proud
267 The empty chariots through the paths of war
Whirl’d rattling, of their charioteers deprived;
They breathless press’d the plain, now fitter far
To feed the vultures than to cheer their wives. 195
Conceal’d, meantime, by Jove, Hector escaped
The dust, darts, deaths, and tumult of the field;
And Agamemnon to the swift pursuit
Call’d loud the Grecians. Through the middle plain
Beside the sepulchre of Ilus, son 200
Of Dardanus, and where the fig-tree stood,
The Trojans flew, panting to gain the town,
While Agamemnon pressing close the rear,
Shout after shout terrific sent abroad,
And his victorious hands reek’d, red with gore. 205
But at the beech-tree and the Scæan gate
Arrived, the Trojans halted, waiting there
The rearmost fugitives; they o’er the field
Came like a herd, which in the dead of night
A lion drives; all fly, but one is doom’d 210
To death inevitable; her with jaws
True to their hold he seizes, and her neck
Breaking, embowels her, and laps the blood;
So, Atreus’ royal son, the hindmost still
Slaying, and still pursuing, urged them on. 215
Many supine, and many prone, the field
Press’d, by the son of Atreus in their flight
Dismounted; for no weapon raged as his.
But now, at last, when he should soon have reach’d
The lofty walls of Ilium, came the Sire 220
Of Gods and men descending from the skies,
And on the heights of Ida fountain-fed,
Sat arm’d with thunders. Calling to his foot
Swift Iris golden-pinion’d, thus he spake.
Iris! away. Thus speak in Hector’s ears. 225
While yet he shall the son of Atreus see
Fierce warring in the van, and mowing down
The Trojan ranks, so long let him abstain
From battle, leaving to his host the task
268 Of bloody contest furious with the Greeks. 230
But soon as Atreus’ son by spear or shaft
Wounded shall climb his chariot, with such force
I will endue Hector, that he shall slay
Till he have reach’d the ships, and till, the sun
Descending, sacred darkness cover all. 235
He spake, nor rapid Iris disobey’d
Storm-wing’d ambassadress, but from the heights
Of Ida sto
op’d to Ilium. There she found
The son of royal Priam by the throng
Of chariots and of steeds compass’d about 240
She, standing at his side, him thus bespake.
Oh, son of Priam! as the Gods discreet!
I bring thee counsel from the Sire of all.
While yet thou shalt the son of Atreus see
Fierce warring in the van, and mowing down 245
The warrior ranks, so long he bids thee pause
From battle, leaving to thy host the task
Of bloody contest furious with the Greeks.
But soon as Atreus’ son, by spear or shaft
Wounded, shall climb his chariot, Jove will then 250
Endue thee with such force, that thou shalt slay
Till thou have reach’d the ships, and till, the sun
Descending, sacred darkness cover all.
So saying, swift-pinion’d Iris disappear’d.
Then Hector from his chariot at a leap 255
Came down all arm’d, and, shaking his bright spears,
Ranged every quarter, animating loud
The legions, and rekindling horrid war.
Back roll’d the Trojan ranks, and faced the Greeks;
The Greeks their host to closer phalanx drew; 260
The battle was restored, van fronting van
They stood, and Agamemnon into fight
Sprang foremost, panting for superior fame.
Say now, ye Nine, who on Olympus dwell!
What Trojan first, or what ally of Troy 265
Opposed the force of Agamemnon’s arm?
Iphidamas, Antenor’s valiant son,
269 Of loftiest stature, who in fertile Thrace
Mother of flocks was nourish’d, Cisseus him
His grandsire, father of Theano praised 270
For loveliest features, in his own abode
Rear’d yet a child, and when at length he reach’d
The measure of his glorious manhood firm
Dismiss’d him not, but, to engage him more,
Gave him his daughter. Wedded, he his bride 275
As soon deserted, and with galleys twelve
Following the rumor’d voyage of the Greeks,
The same course steer’d; but at Percope moor’d,
And marching thence, arrived on foot at Troy.
He first opposed Atrides. They approach’d. 280
The spear of Agamemnon wander’d wide;
But him Iphidamas on his broad belt
Beneath the corselet struck, and, bearing still
William Cowper- Collected Poetical Works Page 110